NEIL RICHARDSON

1933 - 2018

Neil Richardson Neil, age 85, of Tacoma, Washington, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on March 24, 2018. Neil was born in McPherson, Kansas to Lester and Martha Richardson on January 7, 1933. He attended Clover Park High Schools, graduating with the class of 1953. Clover Park High School is where he met his wife Paula (Rantalla). That same year, on November 7, 1953, in Lakewood, Washington, the two married. He was drafted into the Army upon graduation to his first assignment tour in Toul, France, where his newly-wed wife joined him. In 1955, at the conclusion of his Army tour, Neil returned home and took over the well-drilling business his father Lester started in 1939. In 1962 Neil started the water utility business known as Rainier View Water Company. In the years to follow, Rainier View has developed into the largest privately-owned water utility in the State of Washington. What began as a dream in 1985 became a reality in 1989 when Neil started Mountain Mist Bottling Company. He started out making deliveries in his own pickup truck from a 200 square-foot plant, which has grown into a 55,000 square-foot multi-line production facility, supported by a fleet of vehicles that deliver bottled water to many homes and offices throughout numerous states under the Mountain Mist label, as well as under private-label branding. Neil was preceded in death by both his parents, sister Mary Ann Pitzler, brothers Floyd and Clinton Richardson, and daughter-in-law Pamela Richardson. Neil is survived by his wife of 64 years, Paula, brother James Richardson, daughter Paula Lynne (Michael) McKinney, son Rick (Lana) Richardson, daughter Lori (Randy) Cross, grandchildren Nichole (Patrick) Eltrich, Michelle Richardson, Aaron Richardson, Katherine (Brian) Uber, Blair McKinney, Stephanie Cross, Melissa Cross, Briana Cross, and Rene (Troy) Fairchild, and great-grandchildren Phoebe Eltrich, Paxton Stray, Amailee Niz, Xavier Niz, and Troy Fairchild, Jr. Funeral services will be held at Star Center, 3873 S. 66th St., Tacoma, WA 98409 on Saturday, April 7th, at 3:00pm, with Ron Ganzer of Parkway Presbyterian officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Diabetes Memorial Fund would be appreciated. Neil and Paula are charter members of Parkway Presbyterian Church, and would like to express their appreciation for the support and blessings the church has given to them both. The Richardson family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the Tacoma General Hospital ER Team, 6th floor nurses and doctors, Olympic Sports and Spine, and Life Care Center South Hill for all their consistent support.